5 Practical Tips for Gardening on a Budget

Growing a lush garden doesn't have to cost a lot—in fact, even the sprawling lawns of millior-dollar mansions probably weren't built on steep prices. Truth be told, smart contemporary gardening is possible as long as you have a green thumb and a few tricks of the trade up your sleeve. If you want to learn how to create a beautiful yard on the cheap, here are a few ideas that may come in handy: 

1. Check out the Outdoors and Gardens section of OLX. 

Or any other online shopping site for that matter—chances are, you can buy your tools through these outlets for a lot cheaper than you would at a hardware store or your local gardening shop. It's also great for shopping in bulk which brings prices down even lower.

2. Start with seeds. 

Here's a tip: seeds cost significantly less than seedlings. While it may require a bit more work and time, the outcome will most likely be the same. Be patient and start them off in small planting containers before transferring your tiny plants to the ground.

3. Try asking friends for cuttings. 

If you’d rather grow fresh blooms over produce, it's best to stick with planting cuttings. Before rushing to a nearby plant shop for bulbs, try asking your neighbors or other friends who love gardening if they have foliage to spare to save a few extra bucks. 

4. Use recycled materials as planters.

You don't have to shell out for high-quality pots to grow a lush land. For container gardens, consider using egg cartons, tin cans, old mugs, or even used plastic boxes to hold your green wonders. Leftover pieces of wood from crafts and other DIY projects can make great plant boxes or makeshift fences, too. 

5. Plan ahead of time. 

Just like with everything else, frugal gardening is all about being prepared. A few days before going shopping, make a quick list of must-haves that are essential for your outdoor space so you don't end up buying things you don't need. You can also research which plants are in season so you're sure that your garden won't die out of the blue.